Iberia Won; A poem descriptive of the Peninsular War / With impressions from recent visits to the battle-grounds, and copious historical and illustrative notes

by T. M. Hughes

Of mandate powerful thy Lernæan clave;

Nor pinch nor waste distort from its due length

The sword of Justice which the Godhead gave.

And, firstly, still, Britannia, rule the wave!

With floating battlements to plough the main,

Make peaceful every shore! Bid every slave,

While freemen prouder swell, dash off his chain,

When thy artillery’s roar is heard o’er Ocean’s plain!

XXXIX.

And lording o’er thy empire of the Deep,